Jolly B is yet to witness the love he’s receiving in South Africa for his blend of Spitori and UK drill
One song can change an artist’s life and take them from underground bubbling into the mainstream. For Nasty C, that was ‘Juice Back’, for Cassper Nyovest, it was ‘Doc Sebeleza’, and for Jolly B, it was ‘Patience’. Released in 2021, the song went viral, with Jolly B’s effortless switching between a British accent and Pitori slang.
The rapper later followed the single up with an EP titled Godfather 012, with features from Blxckie, Focalistic and Herc Cut The Lights.
With the sound of Spitori-and-drill-blend making a sturdy come-up with artists like Roiii, it seemed like this was going to be the perfect time for Jolly B to take off.
But, unfortunately, after facing legal trouble in the UK and awaiting trial, Jolly has not been able to make it to SA or leave the UK to experience the newfound excitement around his name. HYPE caught up with the drilla to find out more about his music and life in the UK.
Firstly, take me back to the time when you moved to the UK from SA, and would only come to Pitori for the holidays…
I ain’t gonna lie, bro, after I moved, I wanted to come back. Bro, when I landed, I was wearing Carvela shoes with secret socks in the UK cold; it was freezing – I was not used to this. For me to properly settle in and accept that I might not come back took me a whole six years.
Most kids wish they could travel, go overseas and see the UK. What was making you want to come back so badly?
As you grow up and finish school, you become aware of the world and want to travel. But then, I was a kid back then; I only knew what I knew, and that was South Africa. Even with adults who move this side, they’ll tell you, it’s hard to adjust to the change.
How did you eventually deal with being that homesick?
To be honest, my bro, school really helped me adapt. I got here when I was still in year six of school, so it’s still primary going into high school. I learnt a lot from the kids at school. Also, I was young; it was hard, but not really that hard. When you are young, it’s easier for you to make friends.
In your music, you still retain your Spitori in your raps. How have you maintained that side of yourself? Also, don’t you ever feel a split between having to please your UK fanbase and your SA fanbase when it comes to the language use?
I kept coming back home every year, so I’d still use the language. No matter what, you won’t lose the lingo. In terms of the lingo in the music, I don’t worry about how people from both sides rate my music but, man, just follow my heart.
Your breakout single ‘Patience’ had a huge moment, especially when the video came out. It spread like wildfire and was taking you to new heights. Tell me how life has been since the single dropped.
I wouldn’t say it changed my life, because I haven’t been able to tour South Africa. I’ve always known the song was hot, because all my people back home always let me know that the song was doing the rounds that side. I haven’t been able to witness it all, but I know if I get the chance to tour that side, I’ll be able to feel it.
What was the mindset you had when you put together your EP Godfather 012?
You know what, I knew I was doing something right when I was hanging with Focalistic, DJ Maphorisa and Uncle Waffles when they were in the UK. When it comes to the project, I was really spontaneous with it. I’m always recording, so I already had the songs on lock, ready to go. I really never planned my project; as mans doing this music, it is already project-ready.
What’s usually the objective of the music you create?
Bro, it’s life. I’m living to die, and dying to live. Whenever I’m in the studio, I feel comfortable; I just release my problems. Mans really out here living this life; I put that in the music.
The future is a little uncertain right now. Do you have an idea of what the next move is?
Bro, I feel like, I don’t really want to drop projects. I just want to give people singles and videos, you get me? To be honest, bro, I really want to tour. I’ve been able to tour within the UK with artists like Silky, but mans really needs a tour to come over that side. I can’t come to that side because mans had problems with the law on this side, and I’m out on bail, but mans can’t do much.
With you still awaiting the trial, it might be a while until the people in SA get to see you. What are the words you want them to remember forever?
Tell Cyril Ramaphosa to tell Priti Patel and Liz Truss to Free Jolly B, because the people need me.
Written by Boitumelo Molamu, Images: Supplied
This article appears in HYPE #24, on sale here. [Link the word here to https://coolmags.co.za/mytfgmediamags/product/hype-magazine/ ].